For 4th time, murderer sentenced to die

Deschutes County jury says Randy Guzek should return to death row

Staff and wire reports

Commentary submitted by Jim Pavis, OADP member

    The following was excerpted from the Oregonian article (June 18, 2010 – A1): “I feel relief for the Houser family,” said Clatsop County District attorney Josh Marquis, who tried the case.  “They are incredible.  They have stayed steadfast for years and it’s not through vengeance.  You never want to say there is closure, but there has been some degree of justice.”

    The case has been overturned three times on procedural grounds.  Jurors were asked during the 4th sentencing trial to send Guzek to death row or give him life in prison with the possibility of parole when he is 78.  I can’t understand what the District Attorney could mean when he says in one sentence that the necessity of their continued participation for the past 23 years is nor for vengeance and in the next sentence declares that their continue participation is heroic for justice.  Then he states it doesn’t provide closure!  Well if it doesn’t provide closure and this kind of “justice” means killing another human being how can it be claimed that this method of “justice” is unvarnished vengeance.  Can that kind of justice be called anything but vengeance?

    And costs will continue to mount and there will still be no relief for the pain the Houser family will be subjected to. The prosecution will continue to refuse to let the wounds heal.  A refusal that will still not provide satisfaction. 

    Oregonian, first section, Friday, June 18, 2010.